New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-02
A CAMP OF SPIRITS.
WHAT WAS SEEN AND HEARD THERE.

paradise need 1l no great shock when coming here TO
control Perhaps this Fat was In the minds OF those
who selected this spot for annual splrttuastic camp
meetings
When We walked out early on the morning after our
arrival there to distract our attention.
and we could appreciate the charms Of the situation on
the tiny inlet that makes In from Buzzards Bay have
always thought there greater aspect OF peace mere
on the southwestern shores OF Massachusetts than along
the eastern These two parts OF the State seem
many miles removed each other Is 1t because here
the fullest violence Of the northeast storms cannot come
directly from the ocean wareham and Monument ana
Marion were all lying in benign calm as we srollcd
about the beaches at Onset this morning We went down
TO the wharf Every goes to the wharf 20 all go 70
the post Office Immediately on arriving at tho camp
You know you cannot by any possibility have letter.
but you wait In brt athlsss interest until you have dis
covered beyond doubt that there nothing for you
There is sense OF freedom In the busy settlement that
makes you thankful to believe that amiable spirits do
the greater part Of tho controlling at this proracted
picnic
The most forlorn looking part Of the encampment is
where some Indians have congregated. Going by one
shabby tent desoate poodle dog sitting outside,
his long silk hanging with sorrowful mpness his
large eyes gazing out the world I'm utter hopeless
ness He appeared to have had all of spiritual camp
meeting that he could possibly endure, and to be longing
| for little material comfort could not leave him
without srokng his head and nquring what could do
for him. He Immediately sat up OH his hind legs and
dropped paws that mad much ado to keep
| from hugging him. I fortunately had about me the
remainder OF q package OF candies with which had
solaced myself ut the the day before. These
| sweet, I administered to the dog, who eagerly but
danty devoGred them. turned away the flap OF
the tent pulled few inches aside and the swarhy
| face of n sauaw thrust out inquiringy.
Walking around shell Point that might see fully the
,,o,d c,uty OF the islands and the blue water we met
mn, whom w., BEGAN to speak OF among ourselves as
| our haunt" lie was lank an. long, with shre"u'
beardless face lighted by very small and tWihhns
eyes, He appeared to he everywhere ut once all oye %
camp; had OF the crowd TO receive us when we
aghted from the dummy; had been visible few seats
from us at Mrs Noyess benefit at our hotel table,
and here he was promenadng on Shell Point before
breakfast smiled Familiarity ut MS and came nearer,
inauirng II had good room at the hotel We said
we had n very pleasant ROOM whereupon he told us We
were uckcr than he lie had passed the night in tent,
OIL bed that was such that he was Obliged to get III
three times to rest him; he had sought the open air
before SUNRISE and nearly starved waiting Tor
breakfast. Did know what time was the earliest
breakfast anywhere in tie canpi No, we did not He
was that kind OF n man who never laughs himself, but
whose most trivial word makes his hearers smile He
stood moment near digging holes In the sand with
nm umbrella Finally he asked II knew that the first
meeting at the temple was TO be n test seance ny Mr.
Marvel advised us 10 so. Mr.. Marvel was big gun,
so.calcd: but far. "a his own individual Judgment
went he thought Mr. Marvel average and the aver
age medium was worth about the price Of smoked
herring that l.. 10 cents dozen. Having made this
remark I'm a very ugubrous voice. he walked away and
We did not SEQ him until 1T breakfast, when
discovered him at tho other end OF the room eating with
the air OF man who intends to take time ana do Justice
10 the work before him
Before we c the hotel to disport ourselves among the
meetings large fat woman came up To MS AS we stood
n moment In the rarlor She had pamphlet in Ter
hand
Ladies'" she said huskily, perhaps you would ind
tb. article Of interest you II is in the Facts
zine n you will perceive, and is one Of marvellous Inn
portance To our cause Possibly OF may read 1t
aloud TO the Others and thus utilEe Time "heh Is so
precious here"
she spoke in that peculiarly fluent way which is some
times acquired by public speakers Having spoken she
Immediately wakes Of the She had left In my
hand the she bad mentioned. open at page which
wa heavily marked. I Immediately began to read "a
abe had suggested The page which read was minute
account OF n mnn who died last spring, and whose
funeral services were conducted by thirty maeralized
sprfts and. n this not enough the dead man
himself maieralScd AMI preached his own funeral
sermon. This seemed TO lis all extremely good reading
for n magazine devoted Facts Having absorbed this
description which have much condensed. we al; went
forth to the sitting To be given by Mr. Marvel Fore
most among the people we the fat woman who had
giyen us the pamphlet and the tall stranger who ranked
the ordinary medium 50 low.
Mr. Marvel was successful than Mrs. Noyes In
that he had large gathering OF people We were on the
outskirts the crowd, unfortunately and could hear
oniJ ecu snd then word The tests appeared to be
giving the most enthusiastic sr;,-.cr 20 those who
received them. but could make out absolutely noth-
inr The medium was controlled great deal by jon
othan Edwards. To the principal characteristic OF
the speaker was an immense tongue with the superficial
area of An ,rnary platter. do not know that 10
would have actually measured SO much, but the impress
sion this tongue produced very startling IL may
have been that Jonathan Edwards could not make use OF
this organ cOherenty, and confused by tongue so
much larger than the he had been In the habit OF
usng when IN the flesh. At any rate the old theoogans
words came galoping and tripping each other up ana
40 thickcned by that tongue that doubt the most
ardent spirtuaIist could understand.
This whole meeting was OF very enthusiastic KIND
The different controls appeared to stand about eager to
sneak These controls were Invisible. OF course hut
there was no backwardness about them this morning
There was no liting to be influenced.
The sprit OF the Indian King Philip spoke through one
woman and asked that there might be singing so that
the meeting would continne to be harmonious They
sang In the Sweet By-andbye." That song and
Nearer my God to Thee" we heard often while we were
at the camp.
One medium stood up us. But all he said was to
announce he guessed he wouldn't say anything as
everv ono wished to hear Mrs Noyes. 10 took him a
good while to speak these words, however He Kept
putting the tips his ngesbsore HIS mouth andcough
ing slightly then repeating his words His whole
apnearance was Ike incarnated apology to tho world
I'm general for being In It,
When he finally sat down, Mrs Noyes rose. She had
tho Same paper flower at her throat She told that
her main prayer In life was for harmony. Then she
instantly began witch As soon rs possible she alkei
In this wise:
seem to see an old homestead. 1t Is situated In the
British Provinces I old lady with cap on, and
a dark wool dress, blue and white apron. red and
nIH fnrr ntnnsh and
three DAYS. and she says Weep no moro. I've come at
last, also SEQ a bier-taInt to drink-oh, no. Two
forms are on 1t; pale and CHASTITY"
At this point obscurity in the vision seemed to
rise and tho speaker stammered. repeated and before
the clouds cleared the fat woman who had given us the